Study: Swearing may help pain tolerance

NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME, England, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A British researcher said his study indicates using swear words increases a person's tolerance for pain.

Richard Stephens of England's Keele University said he compared the pain tolerance of 67 students of both sexes when they each dropped a hand into ice-cold water, the Boston Globe reported Monday.

Stephens said most of the subjects found their pain tolerances increased when they were allowed to exclaim swear words as opposed to neutral language.

"It seems to (work) via the emotional content of swearing -- people appear to shock themselves into a state of emotional arousal (the fight or flight response), which is known to have a pain-lessening effect,'' Stephens said.

Stephens said he doesn't see why people in pain shouldn't swear.

"What's the harm in swearing if it helps you cope? Provided there are no children around, of course," he said.